Robert Schindel, born in 1944 near Linz, is a poet, author and director. In 2009 he accepted a position as professor at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. He is the recipient of numerous literary awards. His works include: Gebürtig, a novel (1992), Mein liebster Feind, a collection of essays and speeches (2004), and Fremd bei mir selbst, poems (2004).